Naomi Osaka has never been one for half-measures, and her latest scheduling twist has left Auckland feeling a little like a jilted host waiting at the airport terminal. The ASB Classic thought it had landed a genuine star turn; instead, Osaka has packed her bags for the United Cup, taking her revived form — and commercial clout — with her.
For the tournament, it stings. She had signalled as early as September that she intended to play, a rare coup for an event that thrives on early-season curiosity. New Zealand fans were gearing up for a proper glimpse of the four-time major winner, now a mother, now grounded, and very much back to hitting the ball with her old authority. But the excitement evaporated quickly: Osaka reversed course, committing to Japan at the mixed-team event and leaving Auckland to reshuffle the marquee.
All Smiles in Japan
Her choice comes during what can fairly be called a renaissance. Osaka’s 2025 season has been a reminder of how quickly she can bend a draw to her will — a run to the Canadian Open final, stopped only by the breakout brilliance of Victoria Mboko, and a US Open semi-final built on heavier hitting and harder edges. Even her three-set loss to Amanda Anisimova carried a twist of history: the first time Osaka had ever reached a Grand Slam quarter-final without ultimately winning the trophy. The stat lingers, a reminder of the standard she once set.
Japan, unsurprisingly, has welcomed her with open arms. The United Cup offers prestige, patriotism, and a daunting group that includes Great Britain and Greece. It also gives Osaka early-season matches against Emma Raducanu and Maria Sakkari — the sort of high-end tune-ups that sharpen instincts faster than any practice week in Auckland could.
Auckland’s Loss — but Not a Lost Cause
Still, the ASB Classic has salvaged more than pride. Elina Svitolina and Emma Navarro, both top-15 players and both in the sort of form that travels well, headline the field and instantly reshape the story of the week.
Tournament director Nicolas Lamperin scarcely hid his relief.
“We are absolutely thrilled that both Elina and Emma have signalled their intention to compete in Auckland,” he said. “I was pleasantly surprised when they spoke to me about playing, and their presence will significantly strengthen the top of the field.”
Navarro has every reason to return with confidence. She was knocked out in 2024 by Coco Gauff — hardly an unforgiving result — and has since soared up the rankings with a sturdiness that makes her a legitimate contender this time.
“Auckland is great. I love it there,” she said. “The fans are super supportive and show us a lot of love, which makes it very enjoyable. It’s a really cool city — beautiful, good food, so much to like about it.”
Svitolina, runner-up in that same edition, left part of the job undone after taking the opening set in the final. The event remains her preferred runway into Melbourne, a chance to generate rhythm before her husband, Gaël Monfils, arrives for the ATP week that follows. With both players setting up shop, the tournament gains profile if not Osaka-level magnetism.
A Different Spotlight for a New Season
The WTA event runs 5–11 January and will also feature Americans Iva Jovic and Venus Williams, whose presence alone guarantees a few queues at the practice benches. But the shadow of what might have been — Osaka under the Auckland sun, loosening the arm for Melbourne — will linger.
In the end, her decision is less a snub than a sign of her ambition. Osaka wants matches that matter, opponents who bite back, and a stage big enough to frame her comeback properly. Auckland, this time, was simply too small for the scale of her return. Perhaps.
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